Best BBQ Ribs Recipe

Updated on July 2, 2013

I invite you to follow this recipe and make the absolute best BBQ ribs that you will ever eat!

Until now, I have kept this recipe a very close secret. My family has had a lot of fun in trying out several different recipes, testing them, modifying them, and eating a whole lot of delicious pork baby back ribs in the process. Finally, we came up with a combination of different ingredients and cooking methods to put together the absolute best baby back ribs recipe.

Since then, I have not eaten any BBQ ribs that even come close to the ones you’ll get from following this delicious recipe. So, If you're looking for the best smoked ribs recipe ever then you've certainly come to the right place!

Use fresh, never frozen, baby back ribs

One of the key elements to success in creating the very best BBQ ribs is to use good quality meat. For this recipe, use 2 racks of fresh (never frozen) pork baby back ribs…the fresher the better.

The trick to successfully barbecuing baby back ribs is to get as much flavour into the meat as possible using smoke; the best smoke flavour for these particular ribs comes from cherry or applewood chips.

Also, it is important to ensure that the ribs are gently cooked so that they are very juicy and tender. To achieve this, we will actually be using two cooking methods:-

Barbecuing on the grill using indirect heat and smoke – 90 minutes

Steaming and slow roasting in the oven – 1 hour, 50 minutes

Expect to spend some time and effort in the execution of the recipe and don’t cut any corners. Prepare to be teased with the smoky BBQ aroma while the ribs gently cook to perfection.

I can assure you that it is well worth the wait!

The flavour of the meat should be complemented by a good quality BBQ sauce, which doesn’t necessarily have to be homemade. I have tried several homemade sauce recipes, and none of them come close to the Safeway Select Original BBQ Sauce which happens to be our favourite.

There are many other store bought sauces available, and I would invite you to use your own favourite sauce to finish off these delicious BBQ ribs.

You Will Need:-

2 Racks of Fresh Baby Back Ribs

1 Sharp Paring Knife

6 Cups Cherry Wood or Apple Wood Chips

Aluminum Foil

1 Cookie Sheet

1 Disposable Aluminum Pan or Pie Plate

1 Cup Apple Juice

1 Wire Rack

Large Cutting Board

Your favourite BBQ Sauce

BBQ Rib Rub Ingredients:-

1 Tablespoon Dark Brown Sugar

1/2 Teaspoon Ground All Spice

1 1/2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder

1 1/2 Teaspoons Onion Powder

1 Tablespoon Mustard Powder

1 Tablespoon Paprika

1/2 Teaspoon Celery Salt

1 Teaspoon Cayenne Pepper

Method

Soak the wood chips in water for about 5 minutes.

Place the rib racks on a cookie sheet. Use a sharp paring knife to trim and peel the membrane off the bone-side of the racks.

In a bowl, thoroughly combine all the BBQ rib rub ingredients together.

Pat the ribs dry with paper towel and sprinkle the BBQ rib rub over both sides of both racks. Pat the rub down so that it sticks to the meat.

Make 3 smoke packs: lay out 3 pieces of aluminium foil and divide the soaked wood chips on top of each piece of foil. Fold and secure each piece into packs approximately 6” square. Use a knife to poke several holes in each pack.

Set the barbecue grill for indirect heat. Remove the cooking grates and place the first smoke pack directly over the heat source. Place a disposable aluminium pan to one side of the heat source and add 2 cups of water.

Replace the cooking grates; turn the burner under the wood chips to high and the other burner(s) to medium. Close the lid and leave to preheat for 15 minutes. Aim to reach a temperature of approximately 300-350°F; monitor and maintain this temperature for the duration of the cooking time on the barbecue.

When visible steam and smoke is achieved, reduce the main burner to medium and turn the other burner(s) off. Place the ribs bone side up on the cooking grate over the pan of water. Cook for 45 minutes, changing the smoke pack halfway through.

Turn the ribs over and brush them with about 1/3 cup of the applesauce. Add a little more water to the pan if necessary. Change the smoke pack one more time before replacing the BBQ lid. Cook for a further 45 minutes.

Place a wire rack over a clean cookie sheet. Pour in the remaining apple juice and enough water to just cover the wire rack. Transfer the ribs to the cookie sheet and wrap tightly in foil so that no steam can escape. Place pan in preheated 250°F oven for another 1 hour and 50 minutes.

Transfer to a cutting board, tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes.

Generously brush your favourite BBQ sauce over the ribs, and then (if desired) place under a hot broiler for a couple of minutes to get a really classic barbecue "bark" finish.

Slice through, and then serve with a little extra sauce on the side together with plenty of napkins!

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stephhicks68, you will certainly enjoy this recipe if you like slow cooked ribs! Let me know how it turns out for you.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi dps, I appreciate your comment and hope you enjoy making them.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Susie, my mouth watered so much when I was writing this hub!! I think I will have to have them again this weekend. I really enjoy the build up to eating these ribs - smelling that wonderful BBQ smoky aroma throughout the afternoon (our neighbours must just love us!). To heck with the diet - enjoy!

lilibees 5 years ago

Wow this hub looks great and the recipe for ribs as well. Thanks for sharing, vote up and awesome from me!

Hi orangecountyjill, I hope your husband enjoys the recipe. My hubby does all of the barbecuing on this one...I am the chief "taster" :-)

thastar 5 years ago

thanks for your recipe that ribs look good i love to cook thanks cloverleaf

Pamela Sarzana 5 years ago from northern Indiana

This looks and sounds sooo good I also am looking forward to trying it I like BBQ as often as I can get away with cooking it.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

You're welcome thastar, these ribs are a lot of fun to cook.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Pamela, I hope you enjoy making them and thanks for stopping by, I appreciate your comment.

Movie Master 5 years ago from United Kingdom

Thanks cloverleaf, my husband is going to love this recipe!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Movie Master: don't use a clean white tablecloth when you eat these ribs! You'll need lots of napkins :-)

Paul Edmondson 5 years ago from Burlingame, CA

Those baby back ribs look delicious. I haven't found a store bought bbq sauce as good as a homemade sauce. Any suggestions?

Fiddleman 5 years ago from Zirconia, North Carolina

Wow! We just came back from our favorite bbq restaurant where my son had a full rack of ribs he brought half of them home to enjoy tomorrow. Saw your hub and just had to stop in to read. Good writing now I'm hungry all over a gain.

thastar 5 years ago

did you make your bbq sauce and what did you used could you tell me paul i like to try out new recipe.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Paul and thastar, my favourite store bought sauce is Safeway Select Original Sauce, although there are a few other suggestions through my recommended Amazon links. Enjoy!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hey Fiddleman! Glad you enjoyed the hub! I love taking pictures of the food I cook; whenever I look back on them I always remember how yummy they smelt and tasted. Thanks for stopping by and posting your comment :-)

StayPos 5 years ago from Florida, USA

Cloverleaf,

You getting something started up there in Calgary with this awesome BBQ recipe :-)

Nice work, I'll print this and get busy soon,

as the wife loves when I get the grill going!

Thanks for sharing!

Up and Awesome!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Staypos, I appreciate your great comment, thank you! I hope that you and your wife enjoy these ribs as much as we do.

I have never had much luck when it comes to cooking ribs....I am going to give this one a try. My mouth is watering after reading this...Thanks for the recipe and tips.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi CMerritt, I too didn't used to have much success until my husband and I finally managed to combine several techniques and ingredients. We got the recipe so foolproof that every time we make these ribs they now come out exactly the same. I think you'll enjoy making them.

Thanks for your comment!

wayseeker 5 years ago from Colorado

Cloverleaf,

For the moment, I'm using this for the rub, but, when I've got more time, I'll be trying the entire recipe. This is looking like some GOOD stuff! Voted up and awesome.

Thanks for sharing this!

wayseeker

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi wayseeker, great comment thank you, and I'm very pleased that you are enjoying the rub recipe.

I see that you enjoy spicy foods so you could always add a little more cayenne pepper to the rub if you wanted to kick it up a notch :-)

Rich 5 years ago

My mouth is watering...

The Midwest Man 5 years ago

Nice, these look fantastic - I bet these are delicious! I slow smoke ribs on the grill for about 3-4 hours, keeping them moist with a vinegar mop. Haven't attempted the oven/grill method yet, but I bet those things just fall right off the bone!

I love these ribs so much that I actually crave them! I'm probably not the best influence on you though, if you want to go vegetarian :-)

Cloverleaf.

DREAM ON 5 years ago

I couldn't keep my eyes off the delicious ribs.I can't wait to try them one at a time very very slowly when the whole house is empty.I think I should be the tester for the first rack of ribs just incase I make a mistake.Then maybe I will surprise everyone else later.But your secret way of cooking is awesome.I only knew about boiling them first then putting them on the grill later to finish them off.I loved your video too.I don't want to leave.O.k. I will leave but I know I won't be able to sleep tonight.Unless I count my way to sleep.One tasty mouth watering rib after another.Thanx so much.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Dream On,

I offer you the job as official taste tester for my next batch of ribs! You will be able to pull off the first piece of delectable meat just moments after the ribs come out of the oven. Not too worry if you can't sleep tonight because my hub Counting Sheep More Effectively to Fall Asleep should help you :-)

Sooooo happy that you stopped by to read this hub and I'm glad you enjoyed. You have truly made my day today!!!

Cloverleaf.

DREAM ON 5 years ago

A wonderful feeling has come over me.I think I can smell the ribs cooking.Maybe I am just practicing for my Official Taste Tasting job.My stomach thanks you.Have a wonderful night.

Hyphenbird 5 years ago from America-Broken But Still Beautiful

As you know I am vegetarian but at times like this I regret it. laugh

jean2011 5 years ago from Canada

I feeling hungry just reading your hub. Now ribs is one of my favourites, and I am use to making my own sauce; but I will certainly give yours a try. I have voted this hub awesome! Thank you for sharing.

I always feel so hungry when I think about making these ribs. I love the smoky smell from the barbecue and then when they go in the oven the kitchen smells simply divine! It's worth the wait!

Thanks for your comment.

Cloverleaf.

Paul Edmondson 5 years ago from Burlingame, CA

The rub recipe looks great. I usually go with my own bbq sauce, but I'll have to give the safeway select a shot. In a pinch I'll use sweet baby rays.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Paul, I haven't been able to find a rub sauce that comes close to Safeway's own, but I am always open to suggestions and willing to try new recipes! I'm glad you liked the recipe. Hope you have a great weekend.

Cloverleaf

ayliss08 5 years ago from Guangzhou, Guangdong, China

Wow,looks very delicious! I'm hungry...

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi ayliss08, glad you liked this one! I am looking forward to reading more of your hubs also. Take care,

Cloverleaf

johncimble 5 years ago from Bangkok

you make my mouth got so watering lol thanks for sharing wish i had some now!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi John,

Come over this Saturday and I'll share some with you! LOL

Thanks for your comment :-)

Cloverleaf.

Maralexa 5 years ago from Vancouver, Canada and San Jose del Cabo, Mexico

These look incredible. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe! Many would not.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Maralexa,

I just couldn't keep them all to myself - they are too good! Thanks for your comment :-)

Cloverleaf.

rsusan 5 years ago from South Africa

Do you have to do this to me, Louise? Bedtime here in South Africa. What do you think I will be dreaming about tonight, thanks to you? How am I ever going to get to sleep with these pictures in my mind? I bet these ribs taste even better than they look! Yum. Voted up and awesome. Thanks for sharing your secrets.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Rika, I hope you sleep soundly thinking about my ribs :-) Thanks so much for your superb comment and for voting up. I'm off to check out your hubs now. Sleep well!

Cloverleaf.

thelyricwriter 5 years ago from West Virginia

Voted up,AUI. Cloverleaf, I am a confused man now. I know I promised to get chicken, but these ribs look great. I am a rib man also. When midnight comes, I will be off to get chicken and ribs. That is the only conclussion I can come too. Good stuff. Good article.

geekdrummer 5 years ago

That is making me soooo hungry!!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi thelyricwriter, you've had me laughing so much! I think you'll be eating well for a while. Thanks for your comment and please keep all those great hubs of yours coming, ok? :-)

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hello geekdrummer! Nice to see you again. I'm looking forward to reading your first hub...

carcro 5 years ago from Winnipeg

You're right, these ribs look deliceoso, great pics and tips on how to make the best ribs! Thanks for the info, maybe mine won't be so tuff next time, Lol...

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi carcro, tuff ribs no more my friend! These ones will melt in your mouth...

Have a great day and thanks for coming by to comment.

Cloverleaf.

stephaniedas 5 years ago from Miami, US

Wow. judging by the feedback you've gotten here, I'd say this recipe is a keeper. The hub is excellently written, and I can say that as a grill-addict, I haven't tried ribs because I've ben scared of messing them up! I will bookmark this awesome recipe. Thank you!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi stephanie, never be afraid of messing up the ribs again! This recipe is foolproof, but it does take some prep and time. It's worth the wait :) thanks for commenting!

Cloverleaf

Julz09 5 years ago

Excellent post! useful information.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Thanks, Julz09! Enjoy :)

frugalfamily 5 years ago from Houston, TX

I'll give it a try, but if I mess it up, your coming over to fix it!

Jackie Lynnley 5 years ago from The Beautiful South

Thanks for the recipe, I am not really a meat lover but there is nothing like ribs, is there? I guess I am partial to regular Kraft though for BBQ and I always catch it on sale and keep plenty. I love the sweet flavor but here in the south you have to watch it because some like and make it like vinegar and we got a big order of that once so are always cautious. Great hub as always Cloverleaf!

Happyboomernurse 5 years ago from South Carolina

Great hub. My husband cooks the best ribs ever but he would never share his recipe- he loves basking in the glory of being the only one who can make them so good. But you've done a great job with sharing your family secrets and I commend you and your family for being so generous with what used to be this top secret knowledge. Voted up across the board except for funny.

ktrapp 5 years ago from Illinois

These ribs look fantastic! I have also found that Sweet Baby Ray's and the Jim Beam barbecue sauces are really good. I am bookmarking this recipe and can't wait to use it during the grilling season. ~voting up and awesome~

JT Walters 5 years ago from Florida

HI Cloverleaf,

Those ribs look absolutely awesome. Thanks for sharing for treasured secret recipe and I will keep it in the family.

JT

homesteadbound 5 years ago from Texas

These look absolutely wonderful. If I close my eyes I can almost smell the flavor now! Sharing family secrets might get you in trouble with the rest of the family, but your hubpages family really appreciates it! Bookmarking, voting up and across!

I promised I would try this and I am. We are having your recipe for dinner. Cloverleaf, I wanted to tell you thanks for everything. It has been a pleasure getting to know you, your mom MM as well. It makes the world seem smaller per say. You have been a great friend to me and I believe I owe it to you to say so. I read comments all the time, but I believe we all are not as sincere as we should be. So in saying that, I thank you. I always wonder about you when you are not online for a day or so. I know I am not on here as much either due to work and life in general. But on here, we are all in a perfect world. Cloverleaf, thanks for the friendship. On a lighter note, you are the only person I personally know from Canada:) Just wanted to make you laugh. Until the next time, take care.

PDXKaraokeGuy 5 years ago from Portland, Oregon

this almost makes me wish I ate meat :o)

Purple Perl 5 years ago from Bangalore,India

Absolutely lipsmacking recipe, & thanks for all the tips to get it right.The pics are stunning too,my mouth is watering.

Cloverleaf, what a wonderful name!Voted up & useful too!

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

thelyricwriter, you always manage to put a big smile on my face! Sorry for the delay in reading and responding to your comment. I have always been able to count on your sincerity and honest opinions, for which I thank you from the bottom of my heart! I have been so busy lately that I have been unable to dedicate the time to HubPages and have gotten behind in reading. I do hope to catch up on your latest hubs soon. Thanks for the laugh and have a great evening my friend :)

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

PDXKaraokeGuy - that's funny, I hope I didn't tempt you too much though :) Thanks for coming by.

Cloverleaf 5 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Welcome Purple Perl, you have a great name yourself!!! How did you come up with that? I'm looking forward to swinging by and reading some of your own hubs soon. I'm glad you enjoyed the recipe.

itops 5 years ago from the sea

These baby back ribs are so enticing! You could almost savor the soft meat oozing out with juices! And the pictures complement the delicious recipe as well. Like the others, I'll have to try these recipe one of these days too!

Thanks for sharing the recipe! :)

pharmacist 5 years ago from Whitinsville, MA

This looks SOOOOOO good. I know what I'm making for the family on Saturday. Thanks for sharing! I just bookmarked this page for future reference!

DIY Backlinks 5 years ago

Really good hub, voted up! I love to smoke ribs myself.

John Sarkis 4 years ago from Los Angeles, CA

Looks delish. In fact, I just ate lunch and can eat this right now if I had it in front of me.

Take care

John

Cloverleaf 4 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi John! I actually made these over the weekend and am having leftovers tonight, with homemade coleslaw and cornbread. This recipe is soooo worth the effort, I hope you get to give it a try. All the best :)

Vincent Moore 4 years ago

OMG where have you been? my mouth is drolling, next to smoked meat sandwiches, ribs are my next choice maybe even my first:-) There are these ribs in Montreal cooked in this restaurant called the Bar B Barns and whoa they are finger licking good. You order up either a baby, half or whole hog of these ribs and the meat falls off the bone.

I can't wait to try this style you have here. I have bookmarked it for later and I intend to give it a try. Another place I like is Montana's their ribs are darn good to. I will share this with my good food eating friends.

Cloverleaf 4 years ago from Calgary, AB, Canada Author

Hi Vincent, if you like ribs then I think you'll love this recipe. I do hope you get to try it out soon. The ribs in Montreal sound fabulous also. You had me drooling over the Montreal Smoked Meat Deli Sandwich LOL.

alocsin 4 years ago from Orange County, CA

These sound yummy. Now I'm hungry and will go to my nearest BBQ ribs restaurant. Voting this Up and Useful.